Summer 2009 trip to California

We spent this past week with my dad in Agoura Hills, CA. It was an amazing trip, and it really makes me think of where I'd like to actually live.
First of all the weather is excellent! As soon as we stepped outside of the airport, we felt a cool breeze as the sun was shining....It was a huge difference from the humidity and thick air we have here in southeast Texas. It was like a crisp, fall day!! AND...NO MOSQUITOS!!
My dad's apartment was fixed up nice for us when we got there. He had an extra bedroom with a bathroom in it, so it worked out perfect for our family. Everyone had plenty of space.
We went to Universal Studios the next day, and that was pretty cool. We got to see actual places where films and shows are recorded. We watched some 3d and 4d shows, which the kids loved- especially Shrek.
On Friday, we went to Malibu beach. That was the best beach experience I've ever had. It was like a fantasy beach! LOL!! It was weird because the sun would be right on you, but at the same time, the breeze was like air conditioning!! And then all the sand just dusted right off, no struggles! Hahaha! I always get stressed out when we go to Galveston beach and we get sand all over the place, and it just sticks to your body. But this was totally different. There was nothing stressful about it. And the water was beautiful, surrounded by mountains everywhere you look. The water was so cold, but once you got used to it, it was pretty awesome. Andrew and I swam in the ocean together, hopping over the waves....it was a blast.
We played at my dad's playground at his apartments with the kids that night. What was so awesome is that the days seemed longer because the sun comes up at like 6 and it sets late, like at 9 or something. And you can stay outside all day because the weather is so nice. It was 95 degrees, but it felt nothing like Texas. It was refreshing. My dad has a swing outside his apartment and bird feeder, and in the mornings we would go out there with our coffee and watch the birds, and look at the mountains. It was incredible.
On Saturday, we went to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica Blvd. was awesome. It had this main strip that was basically like an outdoor mall with lots of nice restaurants. As we walked down the street, there were lots of people giving "live shows" in the middle of the street. There were singers, dancers, gymnists, and all kinds of talents. We were in awe, LOL, we just don't see these kinds of things in lil' Orange, TX.
Sunday was our last day, and we were going to go to the beach, but we decided to just swim in the pool at the apartment and take it easy. We had some margaritas when the kiddos went to sleep and chilled with my dad.
Monday, was so hard for me. Ever since I was eight years old, I would fly to see my dad. And every time I had to leave, it was heartbreaking. And I still get that way when I have to leave my dad. I cried like a baby all day.
But, I'm so happy we went. It wasn't anything like what I expected. I had stereo-typed California into being a place where everyone is rich and perfect, but in reality it's really family-oriented. I cannot WAIT until we go back.

This is near Santa Monica Blvd. We spent all day here, walking, shopping, and watching live acts in the middle of the streets.

California pics

The water was so cold! But we loved it. My dad has pics of Andrew and I swimming together, I'll get those soon!

Our trip to California

This was at Malibu beach! It was amazing to see beautiful beaches and at the same time see mountains all around us everywhere we went!

Morgan singing

This is Morgan's version of Because of You by Kelly Clarkson! hahahaaa!

Memorial Day

We went to my Gammie's for a huge bar-b-que feast. All except one of my uncles were there. Had a blast!

The girls were dancing and singing to some music we had on the ipod. They put on a great show! hahaha

The sound didn't work in those videos, I guess it's because it's from my phone.....sorry!

Look at my Morgan shaking her hips!!!

Ok, I don't know WHERE she learned that from!! hahahaa! She's shaking what her momma gave her! LOL!!

Morgan is 3 today!!!!

It's hard to believe that 3 years ago, Morgan was born!! She came into this world and completely changed our lives! She has grown so fast before our eyes, and it has been amazing to see how much she's changed. I'm so proud of her- she's starting to be such a big girl...going to the potty(Hallelujah!!!), dressing herself, using the big-girl cup, playing pretend, singing songs, counting to 15, and all kinds of new things that she's learning everyday. I am proud to see the kind of girl she's turing out to be.
We celebrated her birthday this past Saturday at our house. We decorated with The Little Mermaid decorations and I made her a cake and decorated it with blue icing and yellow shells with The Little Mermaid candle. She was so happy to have all of the attention! We played pin the crown on Ariel's head. We were going to get a pinata, but no one had any...I also didn't have a lot of time to make invitations because school occupies a lot of my time. But my entire family was there.
Anyways, my Morgy is growing up! It's kinda sad to me sometimes, but I'm happy to see her grow!

New Years...

We went to San Antonio for New Years and stayed at Andrew's dad's house. It was nice chill with everyone because they were finally on vacation. Usually we don't get to spend much time with them.

We didn't get to pop fireworks because they had a ban there, but we had a big bar-b-que and everyone was there. Hehehehe...even Andrew's drunk uncle Alfred....hehehe that was a show! Poor thing was wasted and was saying all kinds of crazy things! I think that was the highlight of the evening! Andrew suggested we sound off our car alarms at midnight since we couldn't pop fireworks and that's what we did! hahahaha! I wish Andrew's brother Jonathon still had his train horn on his truck, that would have been hilarious!

Christmas 2008

Christmas was pretty awesome this year! We had Andrew's Dad and his girlfriend, Andrew's brother, cousin, and grandma and grandpa come for Christmas Eve. And my mom, two brothers and my sister spent the night also on Chistmas Eve....So when we woke up Christmas morning, it was amazing! Morgan immediately saw what Santa brought her and Emily- it was so great to see their faces light up!

I played Santa and distributed gifts. Everyone was so happy and I'll never forget it! Andrew's dad just adores our girls.

We made gingerbread cookies the night before and were munching on them all day. My Gran made her famous fudge and magic cookie bars-heaven!! Then we made a huge Christmas dinner. It was so funny, it was kinda like my first time making everything. I got a 21 lb. turkey because there was going to be more people coming over to eat. Well that was stupid because I couldn't put anything in the oven with it because it took up the whole thing! So dinner was a little late, but it was good!

Anyway this Christmas was one of the best ones I ever had and I'll never forget it!